English in Practice: In Pursuit of English Studies

Description

Fully revised and updated, this new edition of English in Practice continues to be an essential practical guide to studying English at University. It is for all those who are about to embark on an English degree or are in the midst of completing one, and for those who want to re-engage with their reasons for teaching it. The second edition now includes new chapters offering practical advice on writing undergraduate dissertations and on taking your studies beyond undergraduate level, as well as a thoroughly updated chapter on getting the most of out of online resources. Written by an experienced writer and teacher, the book also covers such topics as: * Reading and interpretation * English and Creative Writing * Literary criticism and theory * The English language * Exploring historical contexts * Constructing an essay Including an annotated guide to further reading, English in Practice is an important resource for students keen to succeed in their study of English at University.

Peter Barry is Professor of English at Aberystwyth University, UK. He is author of Literature in Contexts (2007) and Reading Poetry (2012).

Students will find Barry's style clear, honest and informative. * Times Higher Education Supplement * I cannot imagine a better way for a student of English to start his or her studies than by reading English in Practice. The best thing about Peter Barry's book is that issues of fundamental importance are introduced by means of detailed examples, so that the student reader never need feel lost or out of his or her depth. But at the same time it is a book that forces the reader to think rather than merely to absorb facts and opinions. Lecturers who prescribe this book will surely find that they spend less time introducing basic issues and more time continuing and deepening an exploration that Barry has initiated so effectively. This is a book that will charge a student's intellectual batteries - and probably re-charge those of his or her lecturers. * Jeremy Hawthorn, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway * The great strength of Peter Barry's English in Practice is its rare combination of common sense and personal, even idiosyncratic judgement as to the value of studying English. * Marjorie Perloff, Sadie Dernham Patek Professor Emirtus * An essential book: clear enough for all students and detailed enough for academics. Witty, bang up-to-date, erudite and fascinating. * Kevin De Ornellas, University of Ulster, UK *